Zone selector tubing joint



Sept. 15, 1964 L. L. GAGE 'ZONE SELECTOR TUBING JOINT Filed Jan. 27, 1961- m WW a 0 m... 0 642 7 8 e nfinfiwaswm a... L m I I 3 0 2 m n W o L I .Z q n 2 WQ III r Y I E u. m 4 8 8 4 4M 5 m L T A m 0 2 o a u so4aaana u if 1I\\\\\ United States Patent 3,148,732 ZONE ELECTOR TUBING JOEJT Lonnie L. Gage, 1767 Birch St, Duncan, Okla. Filed Jan. 27, 1961, Ser. No. 8,398 8 Claims. (Cl. 166-226) This invention relates to improvements in well flowing or well producing apparatus, and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to a zone selector tool wherein well fluid may be independently produced from two or more fluid bearing formations within one bore hole.

' Many oil well bores extend through more than one oil or gas bearing subsurface formation. It will be apparent that it is very desirable for purposes of economy to produce fluid from all of the fluid bearing formations through one well bore in lieu of drilling an additional well bore into each of the oil or gas bearing subsurface formations. However, due to governmental regulations, the several oil bearing formations must be produced separately or independently, and may not be allowed to flow simultaneously. At the present time, it is very difficult to obtain separate oil production from the multiple subsurface formations, and. particularly when the fluid bearing sands are disposed at substantially great depths in the well bore,- such as in excess of four thousand feet below the sur face of the ground.

One of the most common methods in use today for producing fluid from two or more oil bearing sands is to place'a packer between the tubing and well casing within the well bore, and disposed between the producing sands. One of the oil sands may then be produced through the annular space between the well tubing and the Well casing, whereas the other oil sand may be produced through the well tubing itself. One disadvantage of this type of dual completion for oil wells is that paraflin tends to accumulate on the inner walls of the well casing. It is very difiicult to remove the paraflin from the walls of the cas ing, and the accumulation of the paraflin not only interferes with the flow of the well fluid, 'but also greatly hinders the removal of the packer from the well bore.

when it is necessary to service the well for any reason.

The present invention contemplates a novel zone selector apparatus which provides for producing from multiple oil or gas sands entirely through the well tubing, thereby substantially eliminating any possibility of paraffin accumulation within the casing. Paraffin which may adhere to the inner walls of the tubing may be readily removed in any well known manner, such as by introducing a hot fluid into the tubing for melting the .parafiin. This method for removal of paraflin is not practical for utilization in well casing.

The novel zone selector apparatus is adapted to be interposed within the well tubing string at substantially any desired depth within the well bore'in order to produce fluid from multiple subsurface formations separately and independently, regardless of the depth of the oil bearing formation. The novel tool comprises a pair of telescopically arranged tubular members which function in much the same manner 'as a slide valve for alternately producing fluid from the multiple subsurface oil sands. For example, in the event two vertically spaced oil bearing sands are present within the well bore, the novel zone selector tubing'join-t may be interposed in the tubing string whereby one position of the tubular members will provide communication between the upper oil sand and the interior of the well tubing. Simultaneously, the lower oil sand is sealed or packed ofl whereby the fluid contained therein cannot enter the well tubing. The fluid from the upper sand may thus be produced from the well as desired. When it becomes necessary to cease the flow of fluid from the upper oil sand, and begin the production from the lower oil sand, the zone selector tool may be positioned whereby communication is established between the lower sand and the interior of the tubing, while the upper sand is simultaneously sealed or packed off in order to stop the flow or production of the fluid therefrom. Furthermore, the telescopic members may be positioned in an intermediate disposition whereby all flow of fluid through the well tubing is packed oif, thus providing a blow-out preventer for the well tubing. This feature eliminates the necessity of killing the well, or-the necessity of utilization of additional well tools when it is necessary to provide a blow-out preventer for the tubing. The tubular members may be readily telescopically actuated by raising or lowering the well tubing at the surface of'the well in any well known manner.

It is an important object of this invention .to provide a well tubing string whereby the accumulation of paraffin on the inner walls of .the well tubing is substantially eliminated.

Still another object of this invention is-to provide a zone selector tubing joint which may be readily actuated from the surface of the'well'bore by raising or lowering of the tubing string.

A further object 'of this invention is to provide a zone selector tubing joint whichmay be utilized as a blow-out preventer for the ttubing string.

A still further object'of this invention is to provide a novel zone selectortoolfor a well bore which issimple and eflicient in operation and economical and durable in construction.

Other object-sand advantages of the invention will be evident from the following detailed description, read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate my invention.

In the drawings: 7

FIGURE 1 is an .elevational viewpartly insection of a zone selector tool embodying the invention, and depicted in the expanded position thereof.

FIGURE 2 isa view similar to FIG. 1, and depicts the tool in a contracted position.

Referring to the drawings .in detail, reference character 10 generally indicates a zone. selector apparatusor tubing joint adapted to be interposed within an oil well tubing string (not shown). The zone selector tool 10 shown herein is particularly designed and constructed for utilization with two vertically spaced oil or gas bearing formations (not shown). However, it will be readily apparent that the tool 10 may be lengthened and easily modified for use with more than two vertically spaced fluid bearing formations, if desired.

The zone selector tool 10 comprises a tubular inner mandrel 12 telescopically disposed within an outer sleeve 14. The upper end of the mandrel 12 is threadedly secured at to a suitable coupling member 18 which is. provided with a box portion 20 for connection with the oil well tubing string (not shown) in any well known manner. The outer sleeve 14 is provided witha threaded pin member 22 at the lower end thereof for connection with the lower portion of the tubing string, as is well known. In this manner, the tool 10 may be interposed in the tubing string at substantially any desired position. It is well known that the-lower portion of the tubing string is normally secured in the well casing by a suitable packer member (not shown) or the like, whereby the lower portion of the tubing will be stationary, and it is preferable that the tool 10 be interposed in the tubingstring above the packer, and the outer sleeve 14 thus remains stationary with the lower portion of the tubing string, for a purpose as will be hereinafter set forth.

The outer sleeve 14 is sectional and comprises a lower member 24 having an upper member 26 threadedly secured thereto at 28. The inner diameter of the lower member 24 is reduced at 36 to provide a seating portion for cooperation with the mandrel 12, as will be hereinafter set forth. The inner diameter of the lower member 24 is further reduced at 32 to provide an inwardly directed shoulder 34 for limitingthe downward movement of the mandrel 12. The upper member 26 is provided with at least one aperture 36 extending through the side wall thereof and is further provided with a threaded bore 3% spaced above the aperture 36 for receiving a suitable guide screw 40. The inner diameter of the upper member 26 is reduced at 42 to provide a guide for the mandrel 12 during the reciprocation thereof, thus substantially precluding any undesirable wobbling, or the like, during the operation of the tool it The upper member 26 is provided with a bore 44 circumferentially spaced from the bore 38 for receiving a threaded collar member 46 therein. A retainer member 43 is threadedly secured within the collar member 46 and carries a suitable shear pin 56 for cooperation with the mandrel 12 as will be hereinafter set forth. The shear pin member St) is provided with a circumferentially ex tending groove 52 therein, as is well known, and the members 36 are disposed within the groove 84 and are depth of the groove 52; may be varied in order to provide variable breaking pressures for the pin 50.

The mandrel 12 is preferably of a sectional construction, and comprises an upper neck or stem member 54 of an outer diameter complementary to the diameter portion 42 of the sleeve 14 whereby the reciprocal movement of the mandrel 12 therein will be guided to facilitate the operation of the tool 15). The neck or stem 54 is provided with an elongated slot or recess 56 on the outer periphery thereof for receiving the guide pin therein as clearly shown in the drawings. It will be apparent that the slot 56 cooperates with the pin 40 to permit limited longitudinal movement of the mandrel 12 with respect to the sleeve 14, and also to preclude relative rotation therebetween. In addition, an inwardly extending bore 58 is provided in the outer periphery of the stem 54 for receiving the shear pin 50 therein as clearly shown in FIG. 1 for locking the mandrel 12 to the sleeve 14 for a purpose as will be hereinafter set forth.

The outer diameter of the stem 54 is enlarged at 6 to provide an outwardly directed shoulder 62 for cooperation with a complementary shoulder 64 provided on the inner periphery of the upper portion 26 of the sleeve 14. The lower end of the stem 54 is provided with a reduced threaded portion 65 for receiving a packing carrying sleeve 66 thereon. A suitable sealing gasket 6% is interposed between the packing sleeve 66 and the lower threaded portion 65 to preclude leakage of fluid therebetween. The packing sleeve is provided with at least one aperture 70 extending through the side wall thereof for a purpose as will be hereinafter set forth. The packing carrying sleeve 66 is threaded at the lower end 72 thereof for receiving a lower mandrel stem or plug member 74. The plug member '74, is preferably a solid member and closes the lower end of the mandrel 12 to preclude the passage of fluid therethrough. The lower stem 74 is provided with an outwardly extending shoulder '76 for cooperation with the shoulder 34 of the sleeve 14, and is reduced in size at 78 for insertion within the reduced pin member 22 of the sleeve 14 as clearly shown in FIG. 2.

secured therein by suitable retainer rings 88, as is well known. A suitable sealing gasket 90 is interposed between the lower stem or plug member 74 and the packing sleeve 66 to preclude leakage of fluid therebetween' It will be apparent from the drawings that the inner periphery or seating portion 30 of the sleeve 14 is of a diameter substantially equal to the inner diameter of the lower portion 92 of the member 26. The portion 92 functions as a seating portion for cooperation with the upper sealing members 80 whereas the seating portion 30 cooperates with the lower sealing members 86 for a purpose as will be hereinafter set forth. The overall length of the sleeve 66 is sufiiciently greater than the distance between the seating portions 30 and 92 whereby there will be a simultaneous sealing off at each seating portion when the sleeve 66 is positioned substantially centrally therebetween.

Operation The zone selector tubing joint 10 may be interposed in the well tubing string (not shown) at substantially any desired depth in the well bore (not shown). The inner mandrel 12 is secured to the upper portions of the tubing string by the coupling 18, and the outer sleeve 14 is se-l cured to the lower stationary portions of thetubing string by the threaded pin member 22, as is well known. It is preferable to move the mandrel 12 upwardly within the sleeve 14 until the shoulder 62 of the mandrel is in abutment with the shoulder 64 of the sleeve, as shown in FIG; 1. In this relative position between the mandrel 12 and the sleeve 14, the mandrel may be securely locked to the sleeve by inserting the shear pin into the bore 58. The tubing string may then be lowered into the well bore in any well known manner (not shown) and set therein, as is common practice in, the industry.

Referring now to FIG. 1, it will be apparent that the upper disposition of the mandrel 12 with respectto the sleeve 14 moves the packing sleeve 66 upwardly into a sealing contact with the seating portion 92, and simultaneously moves the packing carrying sleeve 66 away from the lower seating portion 30. In this manner, communica- The packing sleeve 66 is provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced packing rings or seal members 80 tion is established between the interior of the lower portions of the tubing string and the interior of the tubular mandrel 12, whereby well fluid present in any oil sand therebelow may be produced through the mandrel 12 and upwardly through the tubing string. Simultaneously, the communication between the bore 36 of the sleeve 14 and the bore 70 of the packing carrying sleeve 66 is packed off or precluded by the sealing engagement between the seating portion $2 and the sealing members 80. Thus, the well fluid flowing or being produced from the lower horizon or lower oil sand will be directed from the lower tubing string into the annular space between the raised packing carrying sleeve 66 and the sleeve 14, and through the open bore 70 into the interior of the mandrel 12, from whence the fluid may be pumped, or otherwise moved to the surface of the well through the upper portions of the tubing string. 4

When it is desired to stop the flow of the well fluid from the lower producing horizon, and commence the flow of the Well fluid from the upper producing horizon, the tubing string may be lowered at the surface of the well. A sufficient downward pressure may be exerted on the tubing string for shearing the pin 50 whereby the inner mandrel 12 may be lowered within the sleeve 14 to the lowermost position, as shown in FIG. 2. In this lowered position, the shoulder 76 of the mandrel will be in abutment with the shoulder 34 of the sleeve 14, and

the lower packing members 86 will be in sealing contact with the seating portion 30. Thus, the communication between the lower tubing string and the interior of the mandrel 12 is precluded since the fluid cannot pass around the packing members 86, thus the bore 70 is closed from communication with the well fluid of the lower producing sands.

The lowering of the mandrel 12 simultaneously moves the upper packing members 80 downwardly and out of contact with the seating portion 92 whereby communication is established between the bore 36 and the bore 70. However, it is to be noted that during the lowering operation, there will be a temporary packing off at each seating portion 30 and 92 until the mandrel 12 is lowered sufliciently for releasing the engagement of the upper packing membersSt) with the seating portion 92. Thus, there will be no possibility of any mingling of the fluids from the two producing horizons. There will be adefinite control of the independent and separate production of the well fluid from the two oil sands. With the mandrel 12 in the lowermost position, the fiuidin the upper producing formation will then be directed through the aperture 36 and into the annular space between the mandrel 12 and the sleeve 14 and through the bore 76} to theinterior of the mandrel 12 from whence the fluid may be moved upwardly through the tubing string in any well known-manner (not shown).

When it is necessary to shut down the well, or provide a blow-out prevention for any reason, the mandrel 12 may be positioned substantially centrally within the sleeve l t whereby the lower sealing rings 86 will be in contact with the seating portion 30 and simultaneously the upper sealing rings 89 will be in contact with the seating portion 92. It will be apparent that the overall length of the packing sleeve 66 is sufiiciently greater than the distance between the spaced seating portions 30 and 92 that both the seating portions may be packed oif simultaneously. In this position, the bore 70 is sealed or packed off from both the lower portion of the tubing string and from the bore 36, thus precluding the flow of any fluid from either of the producing formations. Of course, when it is once again desired to produce fluid from the Well, the mandrel 12 may be raised within the sleeve 14, as hereinbefore set forth, to produce fluid from the upper producing sands or formation, or may be lowered to produce the fluid from the lower oil bearing formation.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the present invention provides a novel zone selector apparatus adapted to be interposed in a tubing string whereby well fluid may be produced from a multiplicity of subsurface producing horizons through the tubing string of one well bore. In addition, the flow from the well may be shut down or temporarily precluded, if desired, without the necessity of killing the well, or utilizing additional well tools. The novel tubing joint may be readily actuated from the surface of the well for alternately producing well fluid from the subsurface formations independently, with a positive control of the horizon from which the well is producing. The novel tubing joint is simple and efficient in operation and economical and durable in construction.

Changes may be made in the combination and arrangement of parts as heretofore set forth in the specification and shown in the drawings, it being understood that any modification in the precise embodiment of the invention may be made within the scope of the following claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. A zone selector apparatus for a well bore having a plurality of fluid bearing subsurface formations, and com closed end for cooperation with the fluid passageway means to provide selective communication between one of the fluid bearing formations and the surface of the well bore in one telescopic position of the tubular members and between another of said fluid bearing formations and the surface of the well bore in a second telescopic position thereof, and packing means interposed between the telescopic members for sealing of the one fluid bearing formations from communication with the surface of the well while another fluid bearing formation is in communication therewith.

2. A zone selector apparatus adapted to be interposed in the well tubing string of a well bore containing a plurality of fluid bearing subsurface formations, and comprising an outer tubular member adapted to be secured to the lower portion of the tubing string, an inner tubular mandrel having one end thereof closed and telescopically arranged with the outer tubular member and adapted to be secured to the upper portion of the tubing string, fluid passageway means providing communication between the fluid bearing formations and the interior of both the outer tubular member and inner tubular mandrel, packing means interposed between the mandrel and the outer tubular member for cooperation with the fluid passageway means for selectively providing communication between one fluid bearing formation and the interior of the well tubing in one telescopic position of the mandrel with respect to the outer tubular member, said packing means cooperating with the fluid passageway means for simultaneously packing off communication between the other fluid bearing formations and the interior of the well tubing.

3. A zone selector tubing joint for a well bore having upper and lower fluid bearing formations, and comprising an outer sleeve secured to the lower portion of the tubing, an inner tubular mandrel reciprocally, disposed within the outer sleeve and secured to the upper portion of the tubing, means cooperating between the outer sleeve and the mandrel for limiting the reciprocal movement of the mandrel, said mandrelhaving a bore providing communication between the interior of the outer sleeve and the interior of the mandrel, packing means carried by the mandrel, and spaced seating means provided on the outer sleeve for alternately cooperating with the packing means whereby the bore is selectively opened to independent communication with the upper and lower formations upon reciprocation of the inner mandrel.

4. A zone selector apparatus interposed in the tubing string of a well bore having upper and lower fluid bearing formations, and comprising an outer sleeve member secured to the lower portion of the tubing string, an'

inner tubular mandrel having one closed end telescopically disposed within the outer sleeve and secured to the upper portion of the tubing string, means providing communication between the upper and lower fluid bearing formations nad the interior of the mandrel, packing means cooperating between the mandrel and the outer sleeve bearing formations, and comprising an outer sleeve sethe outer sleeve, and packing means carried by the mandrel for alternate cooperation with the seating means for selectively packing off the upper and lower fluid bearing formations from the mandrel upon telescopic movement f the inner mandrel.

6. A zone selector apparatus interposed in the tubing string of a well bore having upper and lower fluid bearing formations, and comprising an outer sleeve secured to the lower portion of the tubing, an inner tubular mandrel having a closed lower end telescopically arranged with the outer sleeve and secured to the upper portion of the tubing string, a packing carrying sleeve member carried by the mandrel and having an aperture therein open to the interior of the mandrel for providing communication with the fluid bearing formations, packing members carried by the packing carrying sleeve and disposed on opposite sides of the aperture, a pair of longitudinally spaced seating portions provided on the inner periphery of the outer sleeve, said outer sleeve provided with an aperture spaced above the uppermost seating portion in communiction with the upper fluid bearing formation, shoulder means cooperating between the outer sleeve and the mandrel for limiting the telescopic movement of the mandrelwithin the sleeve, said packing members cooperating said said seating portions for selectively providing independent communication between the interior of the packing carrying sleeve aperture and the upper and lower fluid bearing formations.

7. A zone selector apparatus interposed in the tubing string of a well bore having upper and lower fluid bearing formations, and comprising an outer sleeve secured to the lower portion of the tubing and open to communication with the lower fluid bearing formation, an inner tubular mandrel having a closed lower end telescopically. ar

ranged with the outer sleeve and secured to the upper portion of the tubing string, a packing carrying sleeve member carried by the mandrel and having an aperture therein open to the interior of both the mandrel and outer sleeve, packing members carried by the packing carrying sleeve and disposed on opposite sides of the aperture, a pair of longitudinally spaced seating portions provided on the inner periphery of the outer sleeve, said outer sleeve provided with an aperture spaced above the uppermost seating portion and open to communication with 8 1e upper fluid bearing formation, shoulder means cooperating between the outer sleeve and-the mandrel for limiting'the telescopic movement of the mandrel with respect to the sleeve, said packing members cooperating with said seating portions for selectively providing independent communication between the aperture of the packing carrying sleeve and the upper and lower fluid bearing formations.

8. A zone selector apparatus interposed in the tubing string of a well bore having upper and lower fluid bearing formations, and comprising an outer sleeve secured to the lower portion of the tubing and open to communication with the lower fluid bearing formation, an inner tubular' mandrel, having a closed lower end telescopically arranged with the outer sleeve and secured to the upper portion of the tubing string, a packing carrying sleeve member carried by the mandrel and having an aperture therein open to the interior or" both the mandrel and outer sleeve, packing members carried by the packing carrying sleeve and disposed on opposite sides of the aperture, 2. pairof longitudinally spaced seating portions provided on the innerperiphery of the outer sleeve, said outer sleeve provided with an aperture spaced above the uppermost seating portion and open to communication with the upper fluid bearing formation, shoulder means cooperating between the outer sleeve and the mandrel for limiting the telescopic movement of the mandrel with respect to the sleeve, said packing members cooperating with said seating portions for selectively providing independent communication between the apertures of the apertures of the packing carrying sleeve and the upper and lower'fluid bearing formations, said packing members spaced apart a suificient distance with respect to the spacing of the said seating portions to preclude communication of both fluid bearing formations with the packing carrying sleeve aperture in at least one position of the mandrel with respect to the outer sleeve.

Kofahl Apr. 9, 1940 2,720,926 Brown Oct. 18, 1955 3,024,846

Gage Mar. 13, 1962 

1. A ZONE SELECTOR APPARATUS FOR A WELL BORE HAVING A PLURALITY OF FLUID BEARING SUBSURFACE FORMATIONS, AND COMPRISING A PAIR OF TELESCOPICALLY ARRANGED TUBULAR MEMBERS, FLUID PASSAGEWAY MEANS PROVIDING FOR FLUID COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE FLUID BEARING FORMATIONS AND THE TUBULAR MEMBERS, ONE OF SAID TUBULAR MEMBERS HAVING A CLOSED END FOR COOPERATION WITH THE FLUID PASSAGEWAY MEANS TO PROVIDE SELECTIVE COMMUNICATION BETWEEN ONE OF THE FLUID BEARING FORMATIONS AND THE SURFACE OF THE WELL BORE IN ONE TELESCOPIC POSITION OF THE TUBULAR MEMBERS AND BETWEEN ANOTHER OF SAID FLUID BEARING FORMATIONS AND THE SURFACE OF THE WELL BORE IN A SECOND TELESCOPIC POSITION THEREOF, AND PACKING MEANS INTERPOSED BETWEEN 